Sheriff: Michigan Kid Sells Stolen Car for $30

If someone offered to sell you a car for $30, you’d probably be suspicious. But what if the seller was just 12 years old?

A $30 Car and a Big Problem

Over the past few weeks, a young teen has been accused of stealing multiple vehicles in Oakland County. According to authorities, the juvenile suspect reportedly stole as many as four cars from a business in the Pontiac area—and sold one of them for just $30.

READ MORE: Can Michigan Police Arrest or Detain Minors Without Calling Parents?

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office had been searching for the young car thief for nearly a month with no luck—until a major break in the case last Friday (6/28/2025). Deputies arrested the 12-year-old after observing him entering and exiting multiple vehicles in a business parking lot. He was even holding a license plate when officers took him into custody.

Oakland County Sheriff Responds to the Arrest

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard commented on the arrest:

'This young man is on a very bad path, attempting to live his own grand theft auto. Hopefully intervention by the courts will send him on a better life path as well as stopping the constant theft from this business.'

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What Happens Next with the Case?

The boy, who remains unidentified due to his age, is currently being held at Oakland County Children’s Village. The investigation is still ongoing.

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If you have any information that could assist in the case, please contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at (248) 858-4951.